Simplicity Tips & Tricks

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GARMENT CONSTRUCTION TIPS
• Buttonholes in Tweedy Fabrics  NEW!
• Color-Code Pleat-Marking Lines  NEW!
• Binding with Fusible Thread
• Sew Perfectly Even Darts
• Prethread Serger Needles
• Build in No-Slide Shoulder Straps
• Keep a Svelte Waistband
• Neat Seams without Backstitching
• Pin-Tuck Timesaver
• Smart Marks for Hem Folding
• Add Support to Fabrics with Old Flannel Sheets
• No-Show Pockets
• Put a Bead Behind That Button
• Hanging's a Snap
• Slip Basting by Machine
• For Smooth, Flat Bound Edges, Adjust Bias Binding at Curves
• Foolproof Buttonhole Sizing
• Ease a Jacket Sleeve Cap like a Pro
• Use Fold-over Stretch Trim as a Super-quick Neckline Finish for Knits
• The Most Important Button Position Is the One on the Bust Point Line
• Sequined Fabric Deserves Topnotch Seaming
• Make Shirt Collars Roll Nicely by Adding Ease to the Top Layer
• To Keep Facings from Peeping Out, Understitch the Seam Allowance
• Turn-and-Topstitch to Quickly Finish a Knit Neckline

CHOOSING AND USING NOTIONS TIPS
• Multiple Uses for Kitchen Cutting Mats  NEW!
• Thread Multiple Bobbins  NEW!
• Tilt Your Sewing Machine
• Use a Whetstone to Smooth Machine Needles
• Keep Pinking Shears in the Pink
• Mark Thread Spools to Remember Settings
• Shed Light on Serger Threading and Cleaning
• Dental Tools for Sewing
• Removing Water-Soluble Marks
• Choose the Right Notions when Sewing White Fabric
• Guide to Common Fusing Problems
• When Sewing a Softly Structured Top or Jacket from a Knit Fabric, Pick a Fusible Interfacing with the Right Qualities
• Use Hook-and-Loop Carriers to Attach Shoulder Pads to Lingerie Straps
• Using Fusible Interfacing
• Position Shoulder Pads Correctly for Great Results

HAND SEWING TIPS
• Two Threads Are Better Than One  NEW!
• Save a Thread -- Thread a Needle
• A Home for Thread Ends
• Twist-Free Hand Sewing
• One-Stitch Buttons
• When Thread Is Too Short for Even One More Stitch
• Stop Hand-Sewing Tangles
• Trick for Removing Buttonhole Stitching
• End Metallic Thread Woes
• How to Cut Thread on an Airplane
• Liquid Skin Thimble
• There Is a Right Way to Baste by Hand

DESIGN AND EMBELLISHMENT TIPS
• Tape Guide for Topstitching  NEW!
• Sewing Inspiration from Old Movies
• Speedy Sequin Application
• Mini Design Boards
• Brooching Delicate Fabrics
• A Safe Way to Sew Beaded Fringe
• Make a Stitch Sampler
• Don't Embroider That Design, Yet!
• Paint Chips
• Use Fleece Cords to Embellish Lapped Seams
• Fleece Strips Cut on the Crossgrain Make Great Cord Trim
• Easy Steps to Fringing Fabric

PATTERN AND LAYOUT TIPS
• One-Woman Hem-Marking Device
• Trace Patterns Vertically
• Tape Tips
• For My Finale, the Jacket
• Matching Patterns on Pockets
• Marking Seamlines on Silks
• Equal Spacing for Buttons, Snaps, etc.
• Squeezing a Jacket Out of Too Little Fabric
• Remember Which Pattern You Used
• Play Darts
• Mend Pattern Tears Quickly
• Pattern Road Map: Reading the Signs and Symbols
• Balancing Uneven Stripes
• There Are Two Ways to Cut Straight Across a Piece of Fabric
• Use Graph Paper to Lengthen a Pattern Piece

FITTING TIPS
• A Better 3-D You  NEW!
• Quick Pants-Fitting Tip  NEW!
• Fitting Full, High Hips
• Keep Track of Fitting Order
• Improve Fit with a Bust Dart
• Keep Straight Skirt Hems Perpendicular to the Lengthwise Grain
• To Correct a Gaping Neckline, Make the Garment Front Narrower
• Key Measurements That Help You to Evaluate A Pattern's Fit
• Measurements You Need to Check a Pattern's Ease

PRESSING TIPS
• Troubleshooting Pressing Problems
• Weatherproof Fabrics Require Special Pressing Techniques
• Press While You Sew; Iron Finished Items
• Fiber Pressing Guide

FABRIC TIPS
• Keep Track of Your Fabric Stash  NEW!
• Interfacing Doesn't Always Have to Match  NEW!
• "Wicked Witch" Test for Wool  NEW!
• Elastic Connection
• Skipped Stitches on Ultrasuede
• Make Your Own Skin-Tone Interfacing
• Recording Bolt-End Information
• Fabric Yardage Guidelines
• Care and Feeding of Vintage Linens